GreatRoads: The Glen of AherlowThis week Bob Montgomerytakes to the hills of Tipperary's Glen of Aherlow
While in the region to view a newly discovered early car, I recently took the opportunity to re-visit the area of the beautiful Glen of Aherlow, fondly remembered from the hillclimb held there in times past. This is an area of great natural beauty, but there are few roads available to touring motorists and really only one worthwhile route through the valley.
To approach the Glen, take the N24 out of Cahir with the Galtee Mountains to the west and the river Are to the east of the road. Travel as far as the village of Bansha, ignoring the first brown signs for the "Glen of Aherlow Drive" encountered about two kilometres before Bansha.
At Bansha turn left on to the R663, and begin to penetrate into the Glen of Aherlow. The R663 increasingly travels through a more densely wooded landscape, and when a glimpse of the landscape to the south is possible through the occasional gaps in the trees, the full grandeur of the Galtee Mountains becomes visible.
After about eight kilometres you come to the junction of the R663 with the R664. Take the R664, which rises quickly through the mature trees of Bansha Woods. This was the location of the hillclimb in previous years which climbed up past the tight hairpin corner at the Statue of Christ the King, wonderfully situated at the apex of the hairpin for the best views across the glen towards the Galtee Mountains.
The statue is interesting, having been erected by local voluntary labour during the Holy Year of 1950.
It quickly became a well-known symbol of the Glen of Aherlow which developed a tourism trade at a time when few but the most famous locations in Ireland attracted many tourists.
In 1975 the present statue was erected, having been expertly re-created by the Niff Brothers from Cork city who had also made the original statue.
The road, once past the hairpin corner, rises for a short while before starting to descend towards the town of Tipperary, passing through the mature and very pleasant trees of Bansha Woods as it does so.
Not immediately apparent is the long history and important role the Glen of Aherlow has played in the many insurrections of Irish history.
Its remoteness and the cover provided by the Galtee Mountains and Slievenamuck together with its importance as a pass between the Golden Vale of Tipperary and Cork led to many bloody struggles for its possession, often between the O'Briens and the Fitzpatricks.
The many caves in the foothills of the Galtees were often used as hiding-places by those fleeing from the warring factions.
Today, the dark green patchwork of the fields of the Glen of Aherlow evokes a much more peaceful and tranquil time, best viewed from beside the statue of Christ the King on the R664. Meander along the roads of the glen and enjoy this less-visited part of Ireland.